Can the Chief Constable advise of the policy in place guiding PSNI on its engagement with the media to ensure it respects a suspects right to privacy and the release of information about a police investigation or ongoing operation? Can the Chief Constable also advise on:
1. How often is this policy revised?
2. On what basis would it be revised? and,
3. When was it last revised?
The PSNI Corporate Media Policy was last revised in 2018 to take into consideration (but not replicate) the national guidelines set out by the College of Policing; however that policy is currently being updated and a revised paper will go to the Service Executive Board for approval in mid-November. Once approved, it will be publicised on the PSNI external website. The Policy will continue to be regularly reviewed to reflect the evolving media and policing environment and acknowledge further guidance issued by the College of Policing to assess if any revisions are required.
Respecting a suspect’s right to privacy, the PSNI does not name individuals arrested or charged unless in exceptional circumstances where there is a legitimate policing purpose to do so. This is in accordance with recommendations and findings of the Leveson Inquiry (part 1), the Information Commissioner and the Home Affairs Select Committee. (A legitimate policing purpose may include, for example, circumstances such as a threat to life, the prevention or detection of crime, or where police have made a public warning about a wanted individual.)
When a person is arrested or charged, police can proactively release their gender, age, where they live (i.e. the town or city) the nature, date and general location of the alleged offence, the date of the arrest, whether they are in custody or have been released on bail or charged.
Likewise, information can be proactively released to aid an investigation through an appeal asking for the public’s assistance or to maintain public confidence in policing activity or where it is a matter of public interest. However PSNI does not identify any person or specific premises unless the witness appeal specifically requires it. PSNI will also consider the victim’s wishes when releasing information about investigations relevant to them. Individuals who are, or may be, involved in an investigation are not identified.